The CATHEDRAL TIMES The weekly newsletter of the Cathedral of St. Philip · Serving Atlanta and the World · February 25, 2024
THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. PHILIP WELCOMES THE VERY REVEREND ROBERT WILLIS The Cathedral of St. Philip extends a warm welcome to the Very Rev. Robert Willis, Dean Emeritus of Canterbury Cathedral, this Sunday, February 25. He will preach at the 8:45 and 11:15 a.m. services, as well as lead the Dean's Forum in Child Hall during the 10:10 a.m. education hour. Dean Willis is known for being a theologian, hymn writer, and pastor. He served as Dean of Canterbury, running the mother church of the Anglican Communion and the King’s School, Canterbury (the world’s oldest school, founded by St. Augustine in 597) and advising three archbishops, from 2001 to 2022 following nine years as Dean of Hereford and five years as Vicar of Sherborne Abbey. A leading member of the General Synod for over thirty years and with oversight of the Deans’ council of England for two decades, he has also worked on numerous regional, national and international boards – including here in the US – of charities and associations ranging from the arts and music to homelessness and healthcare. He is most recently well known for the broadcasts of Morning Prayer that he and his civil-partner of 22 years, Fletcher Banner, made every day for 26 months from the Deanery Garden in Canterbury during the COVID-19 pandemic which attracted, and still attracts, millions of views from all over the world of people of all faiths and none, helping people through those dark years and bringing many back to faith. He has received doctorates from various universities, including Yale, and the rare Freedom of the City of Canterbury in recognition for his work, the Cross of St. Augustine from Archbishop Rowan Williams, and the gift of a relic from Pope Francis in recognition and thanks for his work in ecumenism and reconciliation. In January of 2023 he was named Dean Emeritus of Canterbury by Archbishop Justin Welby and since then both he and Fletcher have been working as ambassadors for the church and various charities all over the world. Welcome, the Very Rev. Robert Willis!